Expert: Walter Hintz - 1/3/2010

Question
It is not just about animals its about synapses. I kind of understand them but am not sure how to explain in properly without making it sound like i know it all. Also i want to know where they are found in the body, and in how it works in order. I don't understand chemicals very well so they confuse me i just would like to know the general order of how it works. Thankyou for your time, yours sincerely Amelia.  

Answer
OK Amelia:
Lets start with the basics. The nervous system controls all our activities including our motor activities (movements) There are thousands of neural pathways through out the bodies consisting nerve cells. These cells consist of a cell body and extensions called axons and dendrites.  The axons carry impulses away from the cell body and dendrites carry impulses toward the cell body. Synapses are gaps between the axons and dendrites. They are necessary to conduct impulses in the right direction. At the synapse the impulse is stopped to change direction.
Now consider am example. Lets say I want to wiggle my big toe. In impulse must be sent from the motor area of my brain to my toe muscles.  But there are a lot of pathways between my brain and my big toe and the impulse must be directed. It would be disaster if when I want to wiggle my toe the impulse goes to my finger instead or somewhere else.
Think about an auto trip from point A to point B. There may be a lot of crossroads. At a synapse the impulse is stopped  and redirected with the help of chemical transmitters.
If I have confused here please let me know